Cam chain change

Bod · Traffic Copper Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

Hi there, I have a zxr400l and was wondering whether or not a cam change is difficult to do?
Cheers
Bod
PS how would I know if it needs changing or not cheers

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Well its not easy.

May be an engine out job, assuming it runs down the middle of the engine, i doubt there is enough access with the frame around it.

Basically its a case of getting the cam cover off, splitting the old chain, riveting an end of the new chain onto it, carefully feed through the double length chain until all of the old one is out, then riveting the 2 ends of the new chain together.

In practise it would be quite hard.

Bod · Traffic Copper Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

How would you know if it needed to be changed

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Well if its very noisy its worth doing the chain and tensioner. I think general life for one on a zxr4 would be about 50-60k.

Bod · Traffic Copper Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

I don't know how you would class noisy to be honest, I know when I start it from cold its not very happy, but after that seems ok, the bike has done 42000 km so ill get it done when it reaches 50000. Does anyone have a service manual for the bike too?
Cheers
Bod